Alexander Atoz
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Alexander Atoz
@alexanderatoz.bsky.social
DM of countless games when I was younger, and currently the writer of http://dragonencounters.com, a blog looking to create unique encounters for every single monster in D&D.
(Started at the beginning, going in order, have covered over 70 so far.)
24 Ways to Use… White Dragon

Young

5) The young white dragon hunting results in panicking beasts (winter wolves, mammoths) crashing into the PCs and attacking. The dragon will await the right moment to attack.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
March 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
24 Ways to Use… White Dragon
Young
4) As the PCs are climbing a mountain, the young white dragon drops in on them, prying one of the PCs loose of the mountain, dropping him, and thereby separating him from the others.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
March 6, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Update: new post. Ancient silver dragon
Travel through the tower of frozen fog and icy winds. As you face the dragon, watch for what the fog hides, and the peril of disturbing the frozen waterfall.
Read on dragonencounters.com
Play at your table
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
March 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
24 Ways to Use… White Dragon
Young
3) If the PCs are in loose snow, the young white dragon’s breath will freeze the snow around them, locking them in place. Fire and earthquake spells will leave the snow loose, as will a remorhaze.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
March 6, 2025 at 7:37 AM
24 Ways to Use… White Dragon

Young
2) The young white dragon will fly low, and rely on its blending in with the surroundings to ambush them again and again.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
March 4, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I saw online someone who placed his boss battle inside a collapsing building. They had to take down the villain before it collapsed around them. Where did your most climatic battle take place? How did the terrain influence it?
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
March 4, 2025 at 5:39 PM
6 Ways to Use Statues

1) A statue in an empty dungeon hallway is almost a signpost that screams trap. Play into it and have a trap, maybe even provide scorch lines as an extra clue, but also have the statue ready to explode if they smash it to pass.
February 27, 2025 at 12:19 PM

24 Ways to Use… White Dragon

Young

1) The young white dragon is hiding in a snowbank and hitting them with its breath every time it recharges. Even when they realize what’s happening, they have to get it out, as it can tunnel after them.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 27, 2025 at 6:14 AM
6 Ways to Use Statues
6) Have the statue be a clue to something else, such as the dungeon’s story, as well being as a trap. Having it be a trap will help draw attention to it, preventing them from missing the clue, provided the trap is challenging enough.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Now that all three books are out, what do you think of 2024 edition, compared to 2014 edition?

#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 26, 2025 at 9:08 AM
6 Ways to Use Statues
5) A statue can give clues as to what it will do, and what will trigger it. For example, if it has a hammer raised to its shoulder, it has to hit the other side. If its mouth is opened, it will probably spew fire/acid/darts or the like.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
6 Ways to Use Statues
4) Place an obvious statue trap, then have them realize that it has a treasure or object they need on top or behind it. Then have water start filling the room to give them a time limit.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Update: New post. Young Silver Dragon
Traveling in mountains when a dragon can attack at any moment is near impossible. When the dragon's mind-controlled, can they somehow get past to take down its controller?
Read on dragonencounters.com
Play at your table
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 10, 2025 at 7:14 AM
6 Ways to Use Statues
2) A statue is a predictable trap. Let them solve it and then bring in a fight, a boulder trap where they have to move fast, or the like. Suddenly, the trap that they got past easily is a tricky obstacle. Also, you can use several statues.
February 6, 2025 at 4:50 PM
6 Ways to Use Statues
3) Give the statue two aspects. The first is a trap, such as hitting anyone in front of it. The second is movement, such as rotating, changing the definition of in front of it. Pull out the second when it’s unexpected.
February 6, 2025 at 3:12 PM
6 Ways to Use Statues

1) A statue in an empty dungeon hallway is almost a signpost that screams trap. Play into it and have a trap, maybe even provide scorch lines as an extra clue, but also have the statue ready to explode if they smash it to pass.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
10 ways to use … Animated items
Rug of Smothering
10) Some PCs are distracting, while others steal. Enter a rug of smothering. Now they have to save their companion from the rug while still keeping the NPC distracted.

#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Update. New post - Gold Dragon Wyrmling
The garden of beautiful traps. Where flowing streams with lily pads hide deep mud, where a hedge maze is set alight around its enemies. Pretty isn't always safe.
Read on dragonencounters.com
Play at your table.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 5, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Update: New post. Ancient Gold Dragon
Whether by shifting walls, sinking floors, invisible obstacles, or a foe that steps in and out of reality, see how to make the greatest dragon into an unforgettable fight!
Read on dragonencounters.com
Play at your table
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 3, 2025 at 5:53 PM
10 ways to use … Animated items
Rug of Smothering
9) Once they know about rugs of smothering, put several rugs on the floor before a fight. They’ll be scared of each. Or they know that they're enemies, and they need to drop them before they get close.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 3, 2025 at 3:42 PM
10 ways to use … Animated items
8) For a hard rug of smothering encounter, a lantern is knocked over setting the room on fire. While the fire will destroy the rug, it will also kill the person inside it. They might need to move the rug before freeing him.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
February 3, 2025 at 11:55 AM
10 ways to use … Animated items
Flying Sword
6) For a hard encounter, have the flying sword guard the top of a cliff. If they climb, the sword will hit their hands when they can’t retaliate, making them lose their grip. otherwise, it will hide behind a pillar.
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
January 31, 2025 at 4:38 PM
10 ways to use … Animated items
Flying Sword
7) While PCs can walk through an area occupied by an enemy two sizes smaller, I’d say a flying sword should be an exception. It’s a sharp piece of metal! How do you walk past that without impaling yourself?
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
January 31, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Update: New post. Adult Gold Dragon
A scenerio in which the players are forced to rob the dragon. Contains puzzles guarding the dragon's lair, evading the dragon cross-country after, and the climatic showdown.
Read at dragonencounters.com
Play at your table
#dnd #dnd5e #ttrpg
January 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
21 Ways to Use... Blue Dragon
Ancient

13) When going against an ancient blue dragon, have the path lead through a gorge with narrow walls. The dragon will be above, bringing the walls down on them, forcing them to run. Put an ambush at the end.
January 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM